The Lusk Report: November 23, 2021 🍂🦃🍁

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Dear Friend ,

In the spirit of helping our neighbors, I was proud to join Love NOVA and the Journey Church during their Grocery Store Buy-out at the Giant in Springfield Plaza. By the end of the event, we received over 4800 pounds of donated food and supplies! Thank you to Pastor Simpkins, Kathleen Ambroso, and all the countless volunteers for putting together an amazing event.

Here is a video that Love NOVA graciously provided:

If you have the means, I encourage you to donate or volunteer this holiday season. I have provided a few opportunities further down the newsletter.

Also, I would like to remind you that the Lee District Community Center, located in the Buckman Road area, is scheduled to open next year. A few months ago, Fairfax County Public Works employees removed the fence that separated several communities and residents from the future community center. The fence removal embodies the mission of the community center to provide an accessible resource that will provide recreation, youth programs, and an innovative workforce development center.

Channel 16 covered the fence removal event; please watch the video to hear from local residents on what this event meant to them:

In addition, The Virginia Department of Transportation will be conducting a speed limit study on approximately eight miles of Richmond Highway (Route 1) between Belvoir Road/Meade Road and I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway). This study is assessing the 45 MPH speed limit to improve safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and transit users. A virtual Public Information Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 30th to discuss this study.

Here is more information on the speed limit study and the link to register for the Public Information meeting: https://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/route_1_speed_limit_study.asp

I hope you and your family have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving. My office will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the holiday.

Please contact my office if we can assist you:

Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov

phone 703-971-6262

-Rodney

Thanksgiving

Fairfax County Government is closed Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, some facilities are open and schedules vary. For specific schedule information, please see the status page:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/status/

Upcoming Events

Richmond Highway Speed Limit Study (Route 1)
This study is assessing the existing 45 mph speed limit on approximately eight (8) miles of Richmond Highway (US Route 1) between Belvoir Road/Meade Road and I-95/I-495 Capital Beltway to improve safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and transit users.
Attend a Virtual Community Meeting and bring your questions and comments:
Join the Virginia Department of Transportation and Fairfax County to learn about this study and the speed limit study process.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The presentation will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting will be held as a virtual/online meeting. Information for accessing and participating in the virtual meeting is available at https://www.virginiadot.org/Route1SpeedLimitStudy

Made in Fairfax: Holiday Gift Guide

The 2021 Fairfax County Holiday Gift Guide, is now available from our partners at Visit Fairfax! The guide showcases the wide range and vibrancy of products made here in the County. Residents, visitors, and seekers of creative, handmade, and artisanal goods can support our makers, while also finishing their holiday shopping, all in one place at: https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/made-in-fairfax-holiday-gift-guide.

In addition to these great online shopping options, the Holiday Market at the PARC, hosted by our partners at Celebrate Fairfax, will allow residents to see locally-made products this year in person as well. The market will be held at the PARC (8508 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA) on December 4th, 11th, and 18^th, from noon to 5 pm each Saturday. For more information about the market, please visit:

https://celebratefairfax.com/the-parc-at-tysons/.

Now Accepting Intern Applications!

My office is now accepting intern applications. Please email leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov with your cover letter and resume by December 31st to be considered.

Statement on Kingstowne Street Racing

My Full Statement on the Kingstowne Street Race Disturbance:

I am aware of the event that occurred in Kingstowne last Saturday where a crowd of over a hundred people were engaging in an unsafe car meet-up. As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I take instances like what occurred Saturday extremely seriously. I am pleased with the immediate response of the Fairfax County Police Department, and I commend them on their ability to disperse the crowd without further escalation or injuries. As the investigation continues, I’m personally committed to advocating for any resources that FCPD, and specifically the Franconia Station, require to prevent any such future disturbances.

I also want to share the following statement from Captain James Krause, Commander of the Franconia District Station:

“Officers were called to several areas in the County around 11:45 p.m. Saturday night for reports of 100-200 cars driving recklessly with a large crowd gathered. Officers worked to disperse the crowds. Two minor crashes occurred but thankfully no one was injured. No arrests have been made yet, but officers are working through the investigation, reviewing video and photo evidence. Officers will consult with the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office for the appropriate charges. If you see dangerous driving behavior in progress, please call 911 or the non-emergency number at 703-691-2131."

“We will continue to work with our business owners as well as other County partners to prevent and deter similar incidents from happening in the future. Our officers monitor social media platforms for events throughout the County. Commanders at each district station allocate resources to address any concerns that may be posed to our community.”

“We would ask anyone with information about this incident to call 703-691-2131. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web –Click HERE (https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21984). Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest. If you would like to be contacted by an officer, please leave contact information.”

I look forward to providing additional details to you as the investigation continues. Please reach out to my office if you have any questions:

Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov

phone 703-971-6262.

National Family Caregivers Month

In November, Fairfax County recognizes the critical role of family caregivers as partners in care and acknowledges the importance of providing services to support caregivers of older adults & adults with disabilities during a time that can be complicated and stressful. This year’s theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock.”

Family caregiving spans across all generations and includes parents, adult children, siblings, partners, spouses, friends, and neighbors who provide care for a loved one.
Caregivers manage a wide range of responsibilities, from household tasks to assisting with personal care, from helping with legal and financial matters to assisting with medical and nursing tasks often with little to no training.
An estimated 53 million adults in the United States have provided care to a loved one within the past 12 months.
In Virginia, 1 in 5 is a family caregiver.
In Fairfax County, 59 percent of older residents provides unpaid care at home for a chronically ill, disabled, or aging loved one.

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services, honors family caregivers for their dedication, commitment, and compassionate care to their loved ones. Our Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, specializing in caring for older adults and adults with disabilities, provides caregivers with evidence-based programs, educational webinars, workshops, as well as resources and services focused on caregivers’ needs.

Learn about National Family Caregivers Month and Family Caregiver Support Programs.

In the Community

Supervisor Lusk greeted police officers at Creekside Village in Alexandria.

Speaking at the Crest of Alexandria's November HOA meeting.

Speaking at a Mount Vernon/Lee Chamber of Commerce's "Opportunity Richmond Highway" event

Police walk and talk in the Beccles Field Neighborhood in Kingstowne

Making new friends and signing a banner at the Grocery Buy-Out event.

Talking safety and commercial parking with St. John’s Church.

Creekside Thanksgiving Holiday Coat and Lunch Distribution.